Float operated switch



Jan. 11, 1955 GORN 2,699,476

FLOAT OPERATED SWITCH Filed Oct. 10, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Jan. 11, 1955 GORN FLOAT OPERATED SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10 1952 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 1 1, 1955 GORN FLOAT OPERATED SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 10, 1952 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY United States Patent FLOAT OPERATED SWITCH Martin Gorn, Stamford, Conn.

Application October 10, 1952, Serial No. 314,172

6 Claims. (Cl. 200-84) This invention relates to a gasoline level gauge operating through means of magnetic mechanism, and particularly adapted for utilization in an airplane. Magnetically operated gauges of the particular class are well known in the art, but so far as I know, no completely satisfactory instrument was contributed prior to my invention, to be described herein. Thus, while it is old to utilize magnetically operated gauges of the particular class, such gauges were previously not adapted for use under the vibration conditions found in an airplane, nor at the considerable angles to which the mechanism must be used in an airplane, not under the great decelerating and accelerating conditions in all angular positions as is natural in the operation of airplanes.

My invention provides particularly an extremely novel means for mounting a magnetic means for rotation within a gasoline tank on the outside of a sealed housing, similar magnetic means being mounted on the interior of the sealed housing for actuation by the magnetic means on the outside of the housing. I provide particular mounting means for accepting the thrust that is inherent in mechanisms of the particular class, and for allowing the free movement of the magnetic means in all conditions and all positions in which they must operate. In addition, I provide means for allowing the proper adjustment of the magnetic means to calibrate the operation thereof and the operation of switch means actuated by the magnetic means, all as will be made more clearly apparent in the specification that follows.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. l is a section taken vertically through the container in which my invention is mounted.

Fig. 2 is a view taken along lines 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along lines 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respective sections taken along lines 5--5 and 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a leaf for operating the switch mechanism of my gauge.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers to a casing adapted to be secured by suitable means relatively to the body of a gasoline tank, the container 10 being open as at 11 and 12, and also at its upper end so as to have gasoline therein always at the same level as in the tank in which the container 10 is mounted. The gauge described by me is of that type having two level indicators, and therefore is equipped with a float 13 and a second float 14. Since each of these floats is exactly the same as the other, and since the mechanisms operated by each float are the "ice same, I shall only describe the operation of the single float 13 and the means controlled thereby.

As is well illustrated in Fig. 1, the float 13 is secured relatively to a rod 15, the upper end of which extends outwardly through an opening in a guide plate 16, it being the purpose of the rod 15 to guide the float 13 for vertical movement, the lower end of the rod 15 being pivoted at 16 to a bracket 17. Bracket 17 is in turn secured by a pair of screws 18 and 19 to an L-shaped plate 20 and a mounting member 21.

Mounting member 21 is partially slit at 22, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 5, so that the screws 18 and 19 may compress part of the mounting member 21 into gripping relation to a mounting pin 25 extending into a bore 26 in the mounting member. Further, the mounting pin, as well seen Fig. 5, is formed with a groove 27 into which a part of the screw 19 fits so that not only is the mounting member 21 gripped relatively to the pin 25, but it is also prevented from endwise movement off the pin, as will be clearly apparent.

The mounting pin 25 is adapted for rotation relatively to a bearing carried by the wall 30 of a sealed housing 31 fixedly secured in casing 10, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 5, where the wall 30 is shown in section, it will be seen that the said wall is formed with a shallow bore 32, at the bottom of which is placed a disc 33 forming a thrust bearing for the pin 25 and preferably made of some self-lubricating material such as nylon. The pin 25 is then placed Within the bearing sleeve 34 with the shoulder portion 35 of the pin against a shoulder 36 on the bearing sleeve, the bearing sleeve then being placed within the shallow bore 32. As is well shown in Fig. 5, the inner end of the bearing sleeve 34 will bottom partially against the wall 30 and partially against the disc 33, with the end of pin 25 in thrust relation to the disc 33, the pin being held against outward movement from the sleeve 34. Thereafter, it is possible to assemble to the bearing pin 25 the mounting member 21 through the screws 18 and 19, as has already been described. For retaining the bearing sleeve relatively to the wall 30, that part of the wall surrounding the sleeve is staked over at 40, securely maintaining the sleeve 34 in position.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that through the novel arrangement I have thus described, the pin 25 will rotate freely at all times in thrust relation to the housing 31 and the wall 30 thereof, while being free to rotate relatively to the long sleeve bearing 34. The extremely novel mounting means I have thus provided, contributing all the results that are desired, and in a most economical and effective manner, will also be fully understood by those appreciating the problems that have long faced this art.

The operation of the mounting member 21 by the float 13 may be controlled very readily by a spring 41 having one end secured to a bracket 42 carried by the casing 11, the other end being secured at 43 in one of a series of holes 44 of the L-shaped plate 20 that, it will be recalled, is secured to the mounting member 21 and bracket 17 by screws 18 and 19. A permanent magnet 45 is fastened at each end of the mounting member 21 by a screw 46, and to hold the magnets 45 against rotation, even should one of the screws 46 become loose, an L-shaped plate 47 is utilized, it being obvious that this plate would prevent any rotation of the square magnets 45.

On the inner surface of the wall 30 there is also formed a shallow bore 32a duplicating bore 32 on the outer surface. Mounted for rotation relatively to this bore is a pin 25a, that is the duplicate of pin 25, rotating relatively to the outer wall 30. Mounted for rotation with the pin 25a is a mounting member 21a that carries magnets 45a duplicating magnets 45. It is quite obvious to those skilled in the art that rotation of the magnets 45 will effect rotation of the magnets 45a to the same degree. Magnets 45a will, of course, move within the sealed housing 31, and because of the construction of the sealed housing 31 and the fact that there is no passage connecting the bearings for the pins 25 and 25a, no leakage of fluid will occur from the gas tank into the sealed housing 31.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the mounting member 21a carries instead of the plate 20, a leaf-like member 50, best illustrated in Fig. 7. This leaf-like member 50 may be fabricated from spring-like material, and is formed with a relatively long slot 51, whereby through a screw 52 it is fixed to the mounting member 210 in any one of a series of adjusted positions. Mounted within the sealed housing 31 is a micro-switch 53 of any standard manufacture, equipped with an arm 54 carrying a roller 55 in contact with the leaf-like member 50. It is, of course, obvious that when the mounting member 21a is rotated through the effect of the float and the outer magnets 45, the leaf-like member 50 will coact with roller 55 and arm 54 to actuate the switch 53. This will cause the closing of a suitable signalling circuit including the wires 56 shown in Fig. 1. The instrument, will, of course, be set so the signalling circuit will be actuated when the fluid level within the tank is at a particular point.

The sealed housing 31 will mount a duplicate of the mechanism just described to be controlled by the float 14, and since this mechanism is a duplicate of that just described, it need not be further set forth herein.

I believe that those skilled in this art will now fully appreciate the very considerable contribution of my 1nvention and the extremely simple means whereby that contribution is made possible.

I now claim:

1. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned depressions formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a self lubricating disc bottoming in each depression, a bearing sleeve extending outwardly away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc and an end surface against said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc, and the other end extending outwardly of said bearing sleeve, the surfaces of said walls about said bearing sleeves being staked to retain said bearing sleeves thereto, each of said bearing sleeves having shoulders coacting with a part of said pins to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the end of each of said pins outwardly of said bearing sleeve for rotation with said pins, a float for rotating the magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing, and a switch actuated by the magnetic means on the inside of said sealed housing.

2. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned bores formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a self lubricating disc bottoming on each bore, a bearing sleeve in each bore extending outwardly away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc and an end surface against said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc, and the other end extending outwardly of said bearing sleeves, the surfaces of said walls about said bearing sleeves being deformed to retain said bearing sleeves thereto and thereby to hold said discs in position, each of said bearing sleeves having shoulders coacting with a part of said pins to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the end of each of said pins outwardly of said bearing sleeves for rotation with said pins, a float for rotating the magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing, and a switch actuated by the magnetic means on the inside of said sealed housing.

3. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned bores formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a self lubricating disc bottoming on each bore, a bearing sleeve extending outwardly away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc, the surfaces of said wall about said bearing sleeves being staked to retain said bearing sleeves thereto, each of said sleeves having shoulders to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the end of each of said pins for rotation therewith, a float for rotating the magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing, a bent leaf like member secured to the magnetic means on the inside of said sealed housing through means of a screw traversing a slot in said leaf like member whereby said leaf like member is adjustable relatively to said magnetic means, and a switch in said sealed housing actuated by said bent leaf like member.

4. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned bores formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a self lubricating disc bottoming on each bore, a bearing sleeve in each bore extending outwardly thereof and away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc, the surfaces of said wall about said bearing sleeves being staked to retain said bearing sleeves thereto, each of said sleeves having shoulders coacting with said pins to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the portion of each of said pins outwardly of said bearing sleeves for rotation with said pins, a float for rotating the magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing, a switch actuated by the magnetic means on the inside of said sealed housing, a plate secured to said magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing and having a series of small spaced openings therein near one edge of said plate, and a tension spring fixedly secured at one end and adapted to be secured at its other end by engaging one of said openings of said plate to calibrate the float actuation of said switch.

5. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned bores formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a self lubricating disc bottoming on each bore, a bearing sleeve extending outwardly away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc, the surfaces of said wall about said bearing sleeves being staked to retain said bearing sleeves thereto and thereby to hold said discs in position, each of said sleeves having shoulders to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the end of each of said pins for rotation therewith, a float in said container having means extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom, a plate on said container coacting with said means extending upwardly for guiding said float, the downwardly extending means rotating the magnetic means on the outside of said sealed housing, and a switch actuated by the magnetic means on the inside of said sealed housing.

6. In a combination of the class described, an open container adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank, a sealed housing within said container having an outer wall, shallow aligned depressions formed on the inside and outside surfaces of said wall, a thrust accepting disc bottoming in each depression, a bearing sleeve in each depression extending outwardly away from each wall surface with the bearing bore thereof extending to said disc, a pin rotatably mounted in each of said bearing bores with one end in thrust relation to said disc and the other end extending outwardly of said bearing sleeves, means on said wall to retain said bearing sleeves thereto, each of said sleeves having shoulders coacting with shoulders on said pins to hold said bearing pins therewithin and in thrust relation to said discs, magnetic means secured to the end of each of said pins outwardly of said bearing sleeves, a float for rotating the outer of said magnetic means, and a switch actuated by the inner of said magnetic means.

Koontz Jan. 3, 1893 Connally May 13. 1941 

